[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 10, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JUDGE JOSEPH PHELPS

  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of Judge Joseph 
Phelps who was killed tragically in a car accident on June 22, 1996. 
Joe retired from his Montgomery circuit judgeship in 1995, after 
spending 18 years on the bench. He served the State of Alabama, the 
Alabama judicial system, and our Nation with dignity, prudence, 
courage, and honor.
  Joe received both a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the 
University of Alabama. Even as a youth, Joe showed character in all 
that he did providing a glimpse into the future of the wise, Christian 
adult, leader, and honorable jurist he would later become.
  In 1990, Joe was awarded the Alabama Bar Association's Judicial Award 
of Merit, its highest award for outstanding and constructive service to 
the legal profession in Alabama.
  Joe's Christian values are reflected not only in the way he lived his 
life, but in the many positive organizations which he led, founded, 
belonged, and served. He was the past president of the Montgomery 
County Bar Association, and has served as a member, past president, 
trustee, and founder. He also served diligently in the YMCA; Montgomery 
Lion's Club; Lion's Club International Youth Day in Court Program, 
which he founded; Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award; Fellowship of 
Christian Athletes; Salvation Army; Capitol City Boys Club; STEP 
Foundation; Blue-Gray Association; Leadership Montgomery; the 
Governor's Study Task Force on Drugs; Alabama Trial Lawyers' 
Association; Association of Trial Lawyers of America; American 
Judicature Society; Montgomery Magnet Grant Review Committee; and 
numerous other legal, civic, and Christian groups. He was an elder at 
Trinity Presbyterian Church, where he served on the Christian education 
committee, congregational involvement committee, and long-range 
planning committee. Joe also taught ninth grade Sunday School. In 1980, 
Joe was honored as YMCA Man of the Year in recognition of his service 
to youth in Montgomery.
  Joe's list of accomplishments are reflective of the life he led, the 
type of friend he was, and the positive contributions he made 
throughout his life to his community and his fellow Alabamian. Not the 
least of which was his role as husband and father. My heart goes out to 
Joe's family.
  Joe's lifelong dedication to community and country made our world a 
better place. His presence will be sorely missed.

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